The United Benefice of St Paul’s and St Peter’s

The Benefice congregation at a recent United Service hosted at St Paul’s Drighlington 1

Contents: HOW WE ARRIVED AT THIS POINT: p2 How we arrived at this point In 2013 the Vicar of St Peter’s Gildersome took on the p3 The gifts, qualities and skills we pray for and added responsibility of becoming Priest in Charge of St seek in our new priest Paul’s Drighlington. p4 What we offer in return Since that time the members of the two churches have grown p5 Our Benefice and our villages together in love, fellowship and worship. We have shared p6 Our buildings and finances services, discipleship courses, parish weekends, outreach, social p7 The Living Stones—our people events and Holy Week activities. p8 Our services In late 2016 the two parishes were advised, by the Archdeacon, p9 What else goes on in our churches that they should consider becoming a United Benefice. p10, 11 Our churches in their communities p12 The vicarages The two PCCs met individually to discuss the issue and both made the decision to follow the advice given, not through worry

or anxiety, but because we have come to realise that God can accomplish more through our joint ministry and that we are better Appendices: together. 1. Parish Profile: Drighlington St Paul’s The two churches are excited about the future and the creation 2. Parish Profile: Gildersome St Peter’s of the United Benefice. We are excited about where God will lead us, the plans He has to use us to shine His light and extend His Kingdom—and about becoming a benefice full of confident, effective, Spirit-filled disciples.

2 Following the retirement of our incumbent we are looking for  Someone able to relate to, empathise with and be someone to come and be excited with us, work with us, lead sensitive to the needs of families, children and young us and help us discern where God is leading us and the people. pace He is setting. We are looking for:  Someone who will help us use our gifts and talents effectively for God’s work and glory.  Someone to help us become a Benefice full of confident  Someone with the skills and experience to develop the and effective disciples of Jesus. ministries of the laity and train and nurture curates as they  Someone with a passion for Jesus and a desire to preach journey from deacon to incumbent. and share the Gospel in exciting and relevant ways.  Someone to help us plan and prioritise how we can make  Someone with a pastoral heart. best use of the funding which will result from reduced  A leader who will help us discern, develop and realise our Parish Shares. mission priorities.  Someone to celebrate with us, laugh with us, cry with us,  A leader of worship, comfortable with and able to embrace engage with us, go deeper in faith with us—and enjoy and value a range of worship styles. being part of our church family.  A good organiser and communicator.  Someone to encourage us and nurture us in our Spiritual life and development.  A priest committed to parish life, who will be a visible presence in both villages.  Someone with energy, who can collaborate with us and enable us to reach out to the wider community, including local schools.  Someone who is innovative and enthusiastic with a big sense of humour.

3 What we offer in return:  A dedicated and gifted team with a wide range of ministries, skills and abilities; eager to share the load and work alongside you, our new priest.  Your health, wellbeing and development is important to us and we will ensure that you take your days off and fully use your annual leave entitlement.  We will encourage and support you to attend retreats, conferences and any events which will help you re-charge your batteries.  We will commit to your personal and spiritual development by providing an annual budget to assist with costs.  Buildings that are in a good state of repair (see page 6)  A brilliant place to live (see page 5)  We ‘pull off’, with integrity, having two vibrant churches one with an excellent robed choir and a team of campanologists and the other with a full worship band.  A passion and desire to put the church at the heart of our community by getting outside the buildings.  An appreciation and belief that ministry belongs to the whole church, the Living Stones, and not just the priest.

4 Our Benefice and our villages: seasonal services during the year.

 The Benefice has a population of about 11,000, which is split Four High schools serve both communities: Bruntcliffe School (Ofsted almost evenly between the two villages. 2014 - Requires Improvement); The Morley (Ofsted 2013 –  The Benefice has a 2 vicarages, one in each village. Outstanding); Woodkirk High School (Ofsted 2013 – Good) and The  Both churches in the Benefice operate with their own PCCs, Farnley Academy (Ofsted 2014—Outstanding) own treasurers and own finances but have formed a Joint Standing Committee in order to discuss areas of common Medical facilities are good in both parishes, with a Health Centre and interest. pharmacy in each village. General Infirmary and St James’  The Benefice is a brilliant place to live and minister with Hospital are within easy reach as are Royal Infirmary, amazing facilities and opportunities. General Hospital and Pinderfields Hospital.

Although historically villages in their own right, the expansion of Leeds Active Parish Councils exist in both villages and three members of St and Bradford over the years now gives both Drighlington and Peter’s are councillors. Both villages have a central Meeting Hall, and a Gildersome a feeling of being in the suburbs of both cities. Both are Library, with St Paul’s members actively volunteering in theirs. Both within a couple of miles of the historic of Morley. villages have active sports clubs. Football, rugby league, rugby union and cricket are well represented in the area, with the clubs having junior The populations are steadily increasing as the villages have become teams. popular commuter belt locations, with several new housing developments. Drighlington has excellent golfing amenities, including both an 18 and a 6 hole course – The Manor Golf Club – where good food is served. There are regular bus services to the main cities and towns of Leeds, Local pubs are a-plenty in both villages, some serving food. Both Asian Bradford, , Huddersfield and Halifax. The M1, M62 and M621 and Chinese cuisine is also available in the villages, along with brilliant motorways are right on the doorstep. Turn right for Lancashire and left traditional fish and chip shops. A local farm shop, ice cream parlour and for Humberside and the East coast. The beautiful surrounding garden centre border both communities. countryside of the Dales is easily accessible by road in less than forty minutes. You’re five minutes away from a Costa Coffee at Good parochial relationships exist in Drighlington with the Methodist Birstall Retail Park, where you can also eat in a variety of restaurants, or Church and an independent evangelical church, whilst Gildersome has watch the latest film in the Showcase Luxe Cinema complex. Retail the oldest established Baptist community in Yorkshire, as well as a therapy is on hand in Next, M&S, Toys R ’Us or W H Smiths – all within Methodist Church, and Quaker Meeting House. the same complex. The White Rose Shopping Centre is only 3 miles Both villages are mentioned in the Domesday Book and Drighlington is and Leeds and Bradford Airport less than half an hour away. famous as the site of the English Civil War Battle of Moor Gildersome has two Primary schools – Gildersome Primary and Nursery fought on 30 June 1643. (Ofsted 2013—Good), and Birchfield Primary School (Ofsted 2014— Good). Drighlington is served by Drighlington Primary School (Ofsted 2013—Good) All three schools welcome church contacts and attend 5 Our buildings:  St Peter’s Both buildings (St Paul’s and St Peter’s) are in an excellent state The Church has just celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the of repair and décor. Both buildings are used flexibly and have consecration of the ‘new’ St Peter’s building. various rooms of different sizes and capacities. Both are Completed in 1992 and winning the Leeds Award for available for community use and host a wide range of events. Architecture, the building complex represents an encampment of Both buildings have good toilets, including disabled facilities. tents, with the largest—used as our main worship area—being octagonal, as was St Peter’s home on the shores of Lake  St Paul’s Galilee. This space has a baptistery. The Church was fully re-ordered to a very high standard in 2009 Major roof renovation and repairs were completed very recently at a cost of £320,000 and extensive remedial work to the roof, at a cost of £72,000 funded by WREN, small grants and direct stonework and windows, funded by English Heritage and other giving. smaller grant awarding bodies, was completed recently at a cost There are costed plans to refurbish the toilets, office and hall of £250,000. during the Summer. The Church has a maintenance plan and a Maintenance Fund The Church has a Buildings Manager, a maintenance group and which are overseen by the wardens and PCC. a maintenance budget.

Our finances:  St Peter’s: In 2015 we ran a highly Both parishes undertook stewardship campaigns in successful stewardship initiative which 2015. St Paul’s under the title ‘GIFT’ and St Peter’s focused on what it means to belong. The initiative included the children and young ‘Living Stones TOGETHER’ people who each received a specially designed ‘Living  St Paul’s: The outcome of ’GIFT’ was a Stones’ brochure and response forms, in just the same tremendous success. The campaign was based on way as the adults did. the giving of time, talent and treasure. Many people came forward with offers of ministry and The outcome of ‘Living Stones TOGETHER’ saw over 400 offers help and an increase in giving. A large number of our of ministry and help and an increase of 26% (£14,000) in giving. congregation signed up for regular giving by standing Regular weekly giving comes to approximately £1,300 per week order and enrolled for gift aid. We are planning a further or £68,000 per year, with 83% being Gift Aided. The total annual revised ’GIFT’ campaign in the autumn of 2017 in order to income from regular giving is approximately £80,000. ensure that the mission and work at St Paul’s is fully funded and that our contribution to the Diocese in terms of Our Parish Share has always been paid in full.

our parish share can continue to be met in full. St Peter’s tithes its annual income from free will offerings.

6 The Living Stones—our people:  Churchwardens  Supporting Clergy: Sue Shaw and Barry Wainwright (St Pauls) Liz Pearce and Maggie Smith (St Peter’s)

 Treasurers

George Russell (St Paul’s)

Philip Walls (St Peter’s)

 Lay Pastoral Ministers Alma Aveyard (St Paul’s) Maureen Buckley (St Peter’s) Ken Farnhill (St Peter’s) Reverend Brian Duxbury: Non-Stipendiary Priest Barbara Lumb (St Peter’s) Brian has been a member of St Peter’s for over 30 years and Jean Wood (St Peter’s) was called to the ministry in 2008. He was ordained Deacon in  Admin Officers 2013 and Priest in 2014. Susan Mann (St Paul’s) Reverend Chris Johnson: Retired Priest Pat Pearson (St Peter’s) Chris retired from his position as Chaplain at Bradford Royal  PCCs Infirmary in 2013 and formerly spent many years as a parish priest. Both churches have active and supportive PCC’s. There is a joint PCC Standing Group with representation from both churches which discusses issues relating specifically to the Officers: United Benefice.

 Lay Readers  Music in Worship Eric Bancroft (St Peter’s) Emeritus Choir Master Marlon Mann (St Paul’s) Muriel Kotsifakis (St Paul’s) Emeritus Worship Group Leader Steve Smith (St Peter’s) Elizabeth Silver (St Peter’s) Ann Walls (St Peter’s) Philip Walls (St Peter’s)

7 Services:

First Sunday of the Second Sunday Third Sunday Fourth Sunday Fifth Sunday month 8am Holy Communion, 8am Holy Communion, 8am Holy Communion, 8am Holy Communion, 8am Holy Communion, Gildersome St Peter’s Gildersome St Peter’s Gildersome St Peter’s Gildersome St Peter’s Gildersome St Peter’s (average attendance 11) (11) (11) (11) (11)

10am Holy Communion, 10am Family Service, 10am Holy Communion, 10am Holy Communion, 10am United Benefice Gildersome St Peter’s with Gildersome St Peter’s (Lay Gildersome St Peter’s with Gildersome St Peter’s with Service, Holy Communion Children’s Church led) Children’s Church Children’s Church hosted alternately at (108) (80) (108) (108) Drighlington and Gildersome with Children’s Church (143)

10am Holy Communion, 10am Holy Communion, 10am Holy Communion, 10am Holy Communion, Drighlington St Paul’s with Drighlington St Paul’s with Drighlington St Paul’s with Drighlington St Paul’s with Children’s Church (55) Children’s Church (55) Children’s Church (55) Children’s Church (55)

4pm ‘Families@4’, 4pm ‘Families@4’, 7pm ‘Refresh’ Informal Gildersome St Peter’s (Lay Drighlington St Paul’s service, Gildersome St led) (46) (Lay led) (38) Peter’s (Lay led) (19)

6pm Choral Evensong, 6pm Holy Communion, Drighlington St Paul’s (28) Gildersome St Peter’s (6)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 9am Morning Prayer, at 10am Holy Communion, 9am Morning Prayer at Gildersome St Peter’s (4) Gildersome St Peter’s (12) Drighlington St Paul’s (7)

7:30pm Holy Communion, Gildersome St Peter’s (8)

8 What else goes on in our churches:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

9:15—11:15am 11am—1pm 10:30am 10am 9:15am 10am—4pm (3rd ‘Little Angels’ FOODBANK The Day Centre and ART GROUP ‘TODDLERS Saturday) Toddlers Group Gildersome Lunch Club And GROUP’ BETHANY DAYS Drighlington St Peter’s Gildersome COFFEE MORNING Gildersome Gildersome St Paul’s St Peter’s Gildersome St Peter’s St Peter’s St Peter’s

6pm 7pm 2—4pm 6:15—7:30pm 10am (2nd Friday) ‘RAINBOWS’ INDOOR BOWLS ‘Open Church’ ‘ROCKS’ THE FRIENDSHIP Gildersome Gildersome (Walk-in session Youth Club 6—11 GROUP St Peter’s St Peter’s with refreshments) y.o. Drighlington Gildersome Drighlington St Paul’s St Peter’s St Paul’s House / Cell Groups 6pm 6:45pm (1st Thurs) 12—1:30pm Sunday  A House Group meets for Bible ‘BROWNIES’ ADVENTURERS ‘Food Friday’ 6pm (3rd Sunday) Study once a month at Drighlington Gildersome Open Youth Club LUNCH ‘ABLAZE!’ St Pauls St Peter’s 10—16 y.o. Drighlington Young People’s  Six Cell Groups meet each week Gildersome St Paul’s Meeting on Mondays and Tuesdays at St Peter’s Gildersome various times and venues. St Peter’s Gildersome St Peter’s 6:15pm 7:30pm 7:30—9:00pm  ‘Saints Alive!’ and ‘Freedom in ‘RAINBOWS’ WORSHIP GROUP Senior Youth Club Christ’ courses run regularly and Gildersome Gildersome 10—16 y.o. are offered to both churches. St Peter’s St Peter’s Drighlington

9 The churches in their communities: members as trustees; St George’s Crypt, the CEO being a very good friend of St Peter’s and occasional attender; and  Weddings , baptisms and funerals Christian Aid. St Paul’s supports The Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Martin St Paul’s Jan - Dec 2016 House Hospice, Wheatfields Hospice, Marie Curie Nurses, Baptisms 39 Caring for Life and St George’s Crypt Marriages 12 Funerals 12 ( plus 13 at the crematorium)  St Peter’s is a distribution point for the South and East Leeds Foodbank with a team of church members trained  St Peter’s to operate the Centre. It opens each Tuesday. Baptisms 17 Marriages 0  Members of both churches and clergy visit two residential Funerals 9 (plus 8 at the Crematorium) homes for the elderly in the two Villages and offer communion to residents. A co-ordinated team of 5 Lay  The two churches have good relationships with the three Pastoral Ministers from both churches and individuals from primary schools in the two villages. The schools attend the congregations are engaged in home and hospital seasonal services (Easter, Harvest and Christmas) in the visiting. churches and there is an open invitation from the head teachers of all three schools for the churches to be involved in leading assemblies and contributing to the curriculum.

 Groups from the Uniformed Organisations meet St Peter’s which hosts Rainbows and Brownies with seven church members in local and regional leadership roles.

 St Peter’s has an active Overseas Mission Group and supports several charities: The Parish of Butiama in the Diocese of Mara in Tanzania; the Funzi and Bodo Trust which was founded by two members and has five

10 The churches in their communities (continued):  Both churches host community Christingle and Carol Services.  Both churches are actively involved in outreach—where possible in partnership. We have hosted several  St Paul’s hosts very popular concerts with the Drighlington Beer&Hymns events in our churches and in community Brass Band. venues; we recently hosted an event in a local pub,  St Paul’s hosts an annual Garden Party for the community supported by Bishop Chris Edmundson, bought all who on the vicarage lawn. attended a drink, provided supper and gave an opportunity for customers in the pub to ask questions. Both churches  St Peter’s hosts ‘The Big Get Together’ as part of the hosted ‘Pray One for Me’ events outside their respective Gildersome Scarecrow Festival Co-ops and run toddler groups which signpost young families to ‘Families@4’ outreach services. St Peter’s  The St Paul’s Choir regularly take their music outside the publishes a high quality monthly magazine for adults and Church.

one for children. There is monthly outreach to the lonely,  The St Peter’s Worship Band regularly plays at outside bereaved and those in need of support in the form of the venues and has been used several times to lead Diocesan Bethany Group and the Friendship Group. St Peter’s hosts events and services. a day centre and lunch club for the elderly. We have a passion for outreach and are committed to taking our worship outside the church building.

 Both churches host annual memorial services, just before Christmas, in partnership with local funeral directors, to support bereaved families who have lost loved ones during the year.

 There are good relationships in both villages with other churches. In Drighlington there is a Methodist and a Free Methodist Church; in Gildersome a Methodist Church, a Baptist Church and a Quaker Meeting House. The churches work together for events like The Women’s World day of Prayer.

11 The Vicarages:

St Peter’s (Benefice House for the use of the Vicar) St Paul’s (for the use of a curate) The vicarage at St Peter’s is located on the same site as the The vicarage in Drighlington is a detached, four bedroomed Church and was built in 1988. It is situated very close to the family house with good sized rooms and a single garage, centre of the Village. situated on Back Lane, a sought-after area of Drighlington and adjacent to St Paul’s church. The rear of the property overlooks It is a detached four bedroomed family house with good sized The Manor Golf Club, an 18-hole course; but the garden is rooms, including, on the ground floor, a lounge, dining room, protected and private with the planting of shrubs and trees. kitchen, utility room, cloakroom and office/study. The house has an integral garage. In recent months work has been undertaken on the house and it was completely re-roofed. The house has gardens to the front There are gardens and lawned areas to 3 sides of the property and back; the back is quite a large lawned area, but easily and private parking spaces. The front lawn and the area in front maintained using the ride on mower owned by the church. of the vicarage are used for outdoor community events. Historically the church has successfully hosted a vicarage garden party during the summer months to bring the community together for a great afternoon of fun and enjoyment, to make people aware of our presence and raise money for church funds.

12